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STUDENTS' E-MAIL NEWS FROM CZECH REPUBLIC
School of Social Sciences of Charles University
Smetanovo nabr. 6
110 01 Prague 1
Czech Republic
E-mail address: carolina@n.fsv.cuni.cz
Fax: (+422) 24810987
*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*
C A R O L I N A No 115, Monday, April 25, 1994.
EVENTS FROM THE LAST WEEK (13. - 20. April)
Seven Presidents Talk About the Future of Central Europe
Presidents of Hungary, Austria, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia
and Czech Republic came to EastBohemian town Litomysl for two days
meeting on Friday, April 15th.
"We are here to contribute to the unification of the West of Europe
with its central part", defined the basic idea of the meeting Richard
von Weizsacker, the president of Germany. The subject of Central
European identity definition connected all the common meetings at the
Litomysl castle. On the second day the presidents held a TV discussion
with French politologist of Czech origin Jacques Rupnik as a spokesman.
Bilateral talks were held besides common dinner and Saturday lunch.
During the talk with Vaclav Havel, the Austrian President Thomas Klestil
mentioned, that the issue of Temelin nuclear power plant too much
complicates the mutual relationship of both the countries. Havel said
later, that Klestil was probably satisfied by the arguments of Czech
side in favour of finishing the power plant construction. The Czech
President also accepted the invitation for the meeting of Presidents of
Austria, Switzerland and Italy at Alpbach.
The Slovak President Michal Kovac during the Friday press conference
said, that the new government is being succesful in changing the
unpopular opinion of foreign countries on Slovakia. Kovac also held
talks with the Hungarian president Arpad Goncz on the nationalities
issue in the mutual relationship of Hungarians and Slovaks.
Although the presidents do not have the executive power, similar
meetings could create a good atmosphere for further government talks,
Vaclav Havel said. The following meeting shall be held according to the
agreement in Hungary the next year and in 1966 in Poland.
The media noticed, that the Prime Minister Vaclav Klaus was not
present at the festive evening. Klaus accepted the invitation on
Tuesday, but he apologized on Thursday because of the preparation for
a more important mission to Southern America. The invited Chairman of
the Parliament Milan Uhde excused himself as well as Josef Zieleniec,
the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who was on a mission in Asia.
Filip, Viktor/ Daniela
Seminar about European Union
On Monday April 18th took place in Prague's Cerninsky the 2 days
seminar about parliamentarism and European integration. At the
introduction of the seminar took part the chairman of European
Parliament Egon Klepsh, chairman of Czech Parliament Milan Uhde, the
chief of the Prague's delegation Liopoldo Giunti and 50 other
participants. The seminar was organised by Institute for European
politics in Bonn, Pragues's Institute of international relations and
Association for Trans European studies in Brussels. According to E.
Klepshe the structure of the Czech Parliament is compatible with the
structures of highest legislative organs of European Union.
Aram/Clara
Magda Vasaryova Discused the Problems of Her Country in Prague
The former Czechoslovak ambassador in Austria and an actress Magda
Vasaryova introduced as the director the new organization called The
Slovak Society for the Foreign Policy. During the discussion on the
contemporary international role of Slovakia she said that the society
wants to help the people to understand the foreign policy. She spoke
also about some hot problems of Slovakia. One of them is the disunity of
the contemporary Slovak society when they regard the history of their
own country.
The former Czech premier Petr Pithart and the ambassador of Czech
republic on Slovakia Filip Sedivy joined the round table. Magda
Vasaryova also met the foreign affaires minister Josef Zieleniec and the
president Vaclav Havel the same day. Viktor/Zuzka
With demonstration of trade unions agrees more than a half of
questioned
On April 19th Rude pravo brought the results of the survey of public
opinions about the April demonstration of trade unions against the new
Code of work (we wrote about it in number 111). The Institution for
public opinion research (IVVM) asked to 809 citizens the question "Do
you agree with the demonstration?". Yes have annswered 57% of the
questioned people. No said 23% and 20% were not able to make any
statement to the problem. The supporters of the demonstration were
mainly workers (65%). Geografically 65% of the Central-Czechs and
North-Moravians were for the street perfomance. On the contrary the
citizens of Prague were mainly against - 30%. Radim/Clara
The entire wording of Hausing law was published
On May 1th will come into validity the Law of the ownership of
flats. The entire wording was recently to be found in the press (for ex.
Lidove noviny April 8th, Rude pravo April 5th).
The law arranges some joint ownership ralationships of flats and non
hausing spaces and completes the present legislative system. As the
passed law says every house owner, for ex. community or privite owner of
the rent-hauses, has the right to sell single flats and does not have to
sell only the entire house any more. From the law also results that the
heirto existing tenats have the pre-buy right for buing the community or
pravite flat. The price of the flat will be fixed by atreement and the
upper price limit is not set by law.
The law was accepted by the Parliament on April 24th. Martin/Clara
30 kilograms of heroin in a truck
On Wednesday April 13th was hold up 30 kg of heroin at Folmava
border-pass by the Czech custums officers. The consignment hidden in
a Turkish truck was watched by Interpol, which was searching for his
addressee. By finding the consignment the customs officers made it
therefore imposssible to find the addressee, said the spokesman of the
General managment of customs Karel Thiele. Then he informed that the
responsible officials had not been informed about the passing
international action. The customs managment refered to the fact that
till today the Agreement of Wienna has not been screened into national
legislative system and no international agreement between the
corresponding sections has been concluded.
The UNO agreement against non legal drug material trade was signed
in Wienna in 1988. The Czech republic joint the agreement in 1989.
Fatema/Clara
The Basic School For Pupils With Rests Of Vision
The basic school for pupils with partial eyesight, the only school
of its kind in all of Europe, was established in Prague in 1967.
The school, at Sporkova street 12, educates and brings up children
whose vision is in the range of 3,5/50 and less.
Obligatory school attendance lasts 10 years (a preparatory year plus
nine years of elementary school). After finishing the basic school, most
students continue in high schools for visually impaired young people
(Gymnazium, Academy of Business, School of Business, Conservatory, and
a school for tuning musical instruments along with the Conservatory).
The rest of the students have the chance to study at vocational
schools for the visually impaired, learning about such skills as
masonry, upolstery or bookbinding.
The school teaches tecniques of reading and writing with the Braille
system and with blackprinting, a computer program that allows the viewer
to controll contrast. Students use special textbooks and compensating
aids, such as Agfa and television magnifying glasses, turmons, Eureks,
Optacons, writing machines.
Eureka A4 is a remarkable eight-key computer with voice assistance,
compatable with an IBM personal computer. Eureka has many functions and
costs about 44,000 Czech crowns.
Optacon II (model R2) is a portable reading aid. This machine
changes blackprinted information into relief info. A basic machine,
without extra equipment, costs about 5,000 U.S. dollars.
The school teaches the same subjects as other schools but the
education is based on intensive teaching with an individual approach to
every pupil. School-rooms are equiped with high-intensity lights. The
teachers collaborate with ophtamologists and children's physicians and
also with psychologists.
In the school there is a youth centre and a boarding-house. The
youth centre can be visited by students who attend the day school. Those
who live too far from Prague to commute daily stay in the
boarding-house through the week and return home on weekends.
In their free time students play chess, do cross-country ski, play
piano, sing in a chorus, go swimming, occupy themselves with athletics,
recitations and taking long thematical walks all over Prague.
In the school students play a special game called Goalball. It is
the only collective ball game for visual-impaired young people. Three
years ago in Hungary's tournament the school team came in second but two
years ago the school won a Berlin tournament. The win allowed the Czechs
to play host to an international tournament of Goalball November 13,
1993.
The school also has a Special Pedagogical Centre that gives ambulant
care to highly visually-impaired children attending a normal type of
elementary school. Information is also given to their teacher and
parents. Members of the centre provide advice on how to work with these
children in school and at home, give information about psychological
care, aquaint caretakers with special aids, lend textbooks and manuals,
and inform about financial matters.
Members of the school and the centre are united by a common
interest; to teach the children to strenghten their self-confidence and
to prepare them for life as well as possible. Sofi/Sofi
What Will Happen With the School for Children With Rest of Vision?
School's building (being described in the above article) was taken
from the state in restitution (law number 298/1990) by the Congregate of
Merciful Sisters of St. Charles Boromejsky. it should serve as hostel
for monastery sisters working in the hospital nad Petrinem.
The building in Sporkova street serves children since 1832, when it
was taken over by the association of St. Notburga. In 1938 the
association donated the building along with the orphanage to the
merciful Sisters, in order to take care of the abandoned children. The
building was donated to the state in 1958 and served as a House for
youth. In the years 1970-1974 the school for children with rest of
vision took over the re-constructed building.
It was offered to the Merciful Sisters to take over along with the
building the school also. Inviolata Krupkova, the general superior of
the Congregate of Merciful Sister, said to the defense of the school
moving out, that if they would agree with this proposal they wouldn't
have a place to sleep. She also said that the state has taken from them
40 buildings. So it is logical that the holy order want's the building
that's nearest to the hospital nad Petrinem.
The Merciful Sisters visited the school April 17, 1990 to announce
to the leading team of the school that the definite term of the school
moving out is until August 31, 1993. The Congregate is familiar with the
fact that it won't be easy to find a place for the school for children
with est of vision, but the holy order has to think about its problems
also.
Before the end of the moving out deadline the Merciful Sisters made
a rent deal, June 19, 1992, with the School's commission in the price of
57, 703 Czech crown for each instructional month and 45, 953 a month
during holiday period. This high rent is twice higher than the Ministry
of Education is willing to pay. So the only thing the school can do is
to look for new places to move in.
The Merciful Sisters offered the school to move into the building of
the convent in Repich. This building belong in the past to the holy
order but until now it hasn't been returned to them. Contemporary they
are renting it from the state. The building in Repich was once serving
children, but in 1865 they had to leave it due to the extension of eye
disease and some blindnessies. That's the reason why the commotion of
the school so logically refused to move into this disconsolated
building.
The school didn't make it to the moving out deadline, because until
that time no other suitable potion was fount. By the end of 1993 it was
offered to the school with its 60 students to move into the
substitutional building in Nove Butovice (in the south-west part of
Prague).
There is still no solution to this problem. The children with rests
of vision and the school in Sporkova street seems with no future. If the
school won't manage to find more financial donations there is the
possibility of closing down.
Financial contributions can be send to this account: NADACE PALATA,
Zbytky zraku-28433-051/0100-Commercial Bank (CB) Prague 5. Sofi/Sofi
FROM SLOVAKIA
The Slovak government relieved 26 local districts chairmen and the
director of TA SR from the office.
On Tuesday, April 19, the Slovak government relieved from the office
26 local districts chairmen, who signed a petition against Prezident's
Kovac Parliament speech in March. Kovac criticized the then Prime
Minister Vladimir Meciar. The statement accused Kovac from purpose
destabilization and discreditation of the preceeding government. The
office of Moravcik asked the chairmen to resign at first and when they
did not react, it undertook this step. The offical statement quoted by
the Czech press says, that the state officials "have to have the same
loyalty for the President, Parliament, Government and all the
constitutional bodies".Dusan Kleiman, the director of the Press Agency
of the Slovak Republic (TASR) was withdrawn as well. Natalie /Daniela
Trencin Won the Slovakia Cup
The winner of this yer Slovak Hockey league is Dukla Trencin. Dukla
used the advantage of homefield at the fifth round of play off and beat
Kosice 5:1. Dusan/Daniela
CULTURE
Rudolf Hrusinsky Died
On Wednesday March, 13 one of the most remarkable actors, the
national artist, Rudolf Hrusinsky died. He died after a long and serious
illness in one Prague hospital at the age of seventy-four years.
Rudolf Hrusinsky was born in October, 17 1920 in the family of
actors. Since he was very young he acted both in theatre and film. In
his early film roles he played mostly lovers, romantic young men, and
students. In 1957 played the role of Swejk in the film The Good Soldier
Swejk.
His qualities as an actor were also seen in films The Burner of
Corps and The Humorous Summer made according the book by Vladislav
Vancura. Unforgettable was also his performance of the country doctor in
the comedy Vesnicko ma strediskova?
Since 1960 Rudolf Hrusinsky was a member of the National theatre in
Prague. Except of acting he also directed some plays. The theatregoers
remember him as Ecdal in Ibsen's The Wild Duck, Falstaff in
Shakespeare's Henry IV., or the Khubla Chan in O'Neill's The Million
Marco.
His last role was the character of the Czech president during the
Nazi occupation Emil Hacha. The TV film The Night of Decision was
broadcasted in March, 10.
Houndreds of people came to the National Theatre in March, 20 where
the coffin could be seen. The official ceremony was then taken place in
the Theatre. Pavel B./Zuzka
New head of AB Barrandov
On 8th April, the board of directors of shareholding company AB
Barrandov relieved Vaclav Marhoul from the office of director general.
Marhoul also resigned for the offer to stay the chairman of the board of
directors as well. The purpose of the change was to stop the confusion
in further ways of development of the biggest Central Europe film
studios. The confusion was created by the situation when Marhoul held
both the offices. at once.
The new director general became Jindrich Goetz, who had already
proved his qualities at the same post in branch of Barrandov, Film
Studios Hostivar. As the chairman of the board of directors was elected
Miroslav Urban, up to now the chief of Film laboratories Barrandov.
Jindrich Goetz, originally a set designer believes, that he will
contribute to the development of Czech film with his thorough knowledge
of filmmaking and genuine experience.One of the first goals at present
is to earn money to pay the first50 million crowns installment of the
National Property Fund loan
and try to produce first Barrandov film before the end of the year.
For Marhoul's opinion, that it is hopless to produce Czech films,
because you cannot make a film for less than 15 million crowns in our
conditions, Goetz reacts:"A good film can be made even for less than
this amount, but you nedd to know where the money is needed and where
they are wasted. After having been filmmaker for past thirty years,
I fortunately know it". Daniela/Daniela
A Good Event for a Good Thing
On Sunday, April 16, the Refugees Help Organization (OPU in Czech)
together with a Czech-American rock band Dirty Pictures put on the rock
marathon called Rock for Refugees in order to both raise funds to help
refugees and inform public on situation of refugees in the Czech
Republic. There were several sponsors contributing to a successful
course of events, Repre club and the Pilsen beerbar provided space and
free service, all bands were performing without a right to be paid for.
Rock marathon began in the afternoon in front of almost empty hall.
Repre club and the Pilsen beer bar were connected to each other. One
band played the allowed time (30 minutes) on one stage while the other
band was preparing on the other. Throughout the afternoon the halls were
gradually filling up by mostly foreign audience which could , beside the
music production, more closely get acquiented with organizers or buy
goods made in refugees' camps. The pre-midnight performance of Joe
Strummer, former musician in bands Clash and Pogues, was such
a highlight of the whole event. Despite playing only four songs
accompanied by Dirty Pitures and a power blackout, he totally impressed
people in the full hall.
Marathon then went on with following performances up to early
morning hours. Both stages saw about 20 music bands, of which the most
successful were Hypnotix, Support Lesbiens and Tony Duchacek and Garage.
The Refugees Help Organization is a non-commercial, independant and
non-religious organization. Its goal is "to help foreigners who applied
for asylum or received it or took a refuge on the land of CR because of
political, ethnic, religious or racial persecution or war." However
organizers expected a larger audience, the results of the happening was
satisfactory. Saturday event and OPU as it is got a high publicity,
about 1,500 people saw the concert and a pay-off is roughly 200,000 Kc.
The money will be used on supporting journal of Bosnian refugees
"Mostovi", on university education of refugees and on the new housing
project.(Quotation taken from the OPU Newsletter). Honza K./Zbynek
ECONOMIC
The New Banknote Valid From March, 20
The banknote of the value of twenty crowns has a portrait of the
Czech prince and king Premysl Otakar I. (died in 1230, his importance
was in attaining of the heriditary title of the Czech king) on one side
and the seal of the Golden Sicilian Bull, a document from 1212 which
guaranteed the royal degree to the Czech king and to his offsprings, on
the other side. Milos Ondracek is the author of the engraving copy of
the portrait, the other side was made by Vaclav Fajt. There is mostly
the blue colour and its shadows in the banknote, the gray completes it.
The water-gauge is placed in the central broad free margin and it is the
lesser portrait of Premysl Otakar I. Fatema/Zuzka
EXCHANGE RATES OF CZECH NATIONAL BANK
DEVIZY VALUTY
zeme mnozstvi kod nakup prodej stred nakup prodej
Australie 1 AUD 21.095 21.307 21.201 20.13 22.27
Belgie 100 BEF 84.297 85.145 84.721 82.02 87.42
Britanie 1 GBP 43.683 44.123 43.903 42.48 45.32
Dansko 1 DKK 4.421 4.465 4.443 4.24 4.64
Finsko 1 FIM 5.347 5.401 5.374 4.87 5.87
Francie 1 FRF 5.055 5.105 5.080 4.88 5.28
Irsko 1 IEP 42.508 42.936 42.722 40.72 44.72
Italie 1000 ITL 18.071 18.253 18.162 17.39 18.93
Japonsko 100 JPY 28.546 28.832 28.689 27.39 29.99
Kanada 1 CAD 21.309 21.523 21.416 20.53 22.31
Lucembursko 100 LUF 84.297 85.145 84.721 81.72 87.72
Nizozemi 1 NLG 15.457 15.613 15.535 15.06 16.02
Norsko 1 NOK 3.997 4.037 4.017 3.87 4.17
Novy Zeland 1 NZD 16.733 16.901 16.817 16.07 17.57
Portugalsko 100 PTE 16.957 17.127 17.042 15.86 18.22
Rakousko 1 ATS 2.470 2.494 2.482 2.42 2.54
Recko 100 GRD 11.845 11.965 11.905 11.20 12.62
SRN 1 DEM 17.369 17.543 17.456 17.00 17.92
Spanelsko 100 ESP 21.194 21.408 21.301 20.30 22.30
Svedsko 1 SEK 3.711 3.749 3.730 3.57 3.89
Svycarsko 1 CHF 20.455 20.661 20.558 20.06 21.06
USA 1 USD 29.470 29.766 29.618 28.92 30.32
EMS-ECU 1 XEU 33.517 33.853 33.685 -- --
MMF-ZPC-SDR 1 XDR 41.395 41.811 41.603 -- --
Slovensko 1 XCU -- -- 33.685 -- --
Valid from April 21.
SPORTS
Liberec Strikes for Leading of Soccer League
In a postponed 15th autumnal round Brno lost to Ostrava O:1 in the
Moravian contest. Quite unexpected victory O:2 and two points gained
Viktorie Zizkov in Drnovice. Enthusiastic performance surprised the
Prague Slavia. Not even return of a famous forward Ivo Knoflicek
prevented them from a O:2 defeat. The following match of Plzen in
Vitkovice ended in tie 1:1. No goals were achieved in Cheb and Hradec
Kralove, where Sparta Prague and Bohemians Prague played, respectively.
Olomouc won in Zlin 3:0 and Dukla Prague lost in their homefield match
against Ceske Budejovice 1:2.
In the 22nd spring round Slavia Prague after the defeat with Liberec
confirmed their lowering present shape in a tie with Drnovice. Sparta
Prague was convinced of the strength of Liberec and lost on Liberec
field 1:2. After a lost point on homefield Dukla Prague lost again in a
tie with Brno (1:1) and Viktoria Zizkov with Zlin (2:2). In spring
undefeated Cheb also confirmed their good shape and won O:2 in
Vitkovice. In the following matches all points stayed on homefield.
Ceske Budejovice won against Bohemians Prague 2:0, Viktoria Plzen
defeated Banik Ostrava 1:0 and Olomouc Hradec Kralove 2:0.
Sparta Prague stands on lead before Slavia Prague and Ceske
Budejovice. Mainly the Prague Dukla and Vitkovice are threatened with
getting off the highest league. Dusan/Zbynek
WEATHER
We do not have to bother with much clothes this week. Temperatures
reached up to 20 Centigrades. Warmer weather will stay roughly up to the
end of week. Aram/Zbynek
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